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// Chapter 15: market 
// Story: A special request 
// by chaos2012 
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Applejack trotted down the wide path towards the market below. She stopped as she passed by a large store that looked intriguing; many bright and colorful birds were kept in many cages throughout the interior. "Must be some kind of pet shop." she said to herself. Deciding to have a little look, she stepped inside.

As soon as she passed through the doorway, a zebra came from the back. The female had a tall mohawk that curled forward and nearly touched her snout. Hanging back behind its head was a long mane that hung passed her shoulders and nearly touched its knees. Smiling, the store owner approached the counter, "So, a new customer in my shop. What can I help you with?"

Applejack looked around to the cages hung around inside. "Ah was just looking at the birds ya got here. They look real nice."

The store owner smiled at that, "Why yes, they make wonderful pets for young ones. Watch." opening one of the cages next to her, she pulled out a purple bird and help it down on the counter with one hoof, and with her other she pulled out a hatchet and lifted it above her head.

Applejack's eyes went wide at what she was seeing, "Wait, what are ya trying to-

Whack!

Applejack felt like she was going to gag. The shopkeeper had just chopped off the birds head! 'What in the hay is she doin!?'

The owner grinned to herself and went back through the doorway to the back of the store. Applejack shot her eyes back and forth between the exit and the headless bird on the table. "This store is just weird, ah'm outta here!" turning around, she sprinted out of the store.

After Applejack ran out, the bird suddenly sat up and sprouted another head. It squawked as it looked around as if nothing had happened. The shopkeeper came back to the front, holding a bag of seed. "They eat this every week and-" she stopped when she saw no zebra there. "Huh. I guess she isn't interested in regenerative birds."

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"what kind of sick store is that!? Chopping off that poor birds head. How the hay is that good for young ones?" Shaking off the odd event she just left, she trotted on to her main stop.

After a minute or so, she came up to the massive spread of carts, tents and blankets spread out over a very large dirt field. Hundreds of zebras were walking through the market as they bargained with the owners for better prices on whatever was being sold there. She stared in amazement at just how many different stalls had been set up here. Just one of the thirty columns contained enough spots to allow every single seller in Ponyville to set up their own carts. 

Adjusting her hat, she took a deep breath and walked on into the large market. Passing by one stall, she looked inside; dozens of bright powders and herbs were laid out over a tarp on the ground. The owner, a male zebra with a tan and black coat was mixing up a silver liquid with a green powder in a bowl. After a few seconds of stirring, the mix turned into a light yellow mix. Taking the bowl, he poured it over a small daisy as a demonstration to the many other onlookers. Then, the flower began to shift, it's stem growing thicker and sprouting sharp points. It's leaves began to grow thicker and bundle together, even changing color.

After several more seconds, a rose had been formed.

Applejack stared in amazement at what she just saw, but looked down to her striped leg. 'Must be like that stuff Zecora put on me, able to change what something looks like.' Looking back up, she saw numerous zebras crowding around to buy the mix. Backing up, she walked on to the rest of the market.